Pac-Man 256: Endless Arcade Maze

 iOS
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Apple'N'Apps
    Aug 20, 2015
    100
    Pac-Man 256 (Free, Universal) is the best game of Pac-Man to date with a great balance of classic styling and new age simultaneous objectives making it an absolute must have iOS experience.
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  2. Gamezebo
    Aug 19, 2015
    100
    The best parts of Pac-Man are still here, and all the new features are now some of the best parts of Pac-Man.
  3. TouchArcade
    Aug 19, 2015
    100
    If you love Pac-Man, Crossy Road, or just good games in general, play Pac-Man 256. It sounded like a great idea when it was first announced, and it's as great as it possibly could have been.
  5. IGN Italia
    Sep 4, 2015
    90
    Not just a tribute to one of the most beautiful games ever made, but a real, addicting game able to hook the players. Pac-Man 256 is the proof that revisiting old classic for a new, extraordinary life on mobile platform is possible.
  6. TheAppzine
    Aug 22, 2015
    90
    Pac-Man 256 is about as perfect a deconstruction of classic Pac-Man as we’ll find in modern gaming – the fact it bears the Pac-Man name and logo is but an added bonus to Hipster Whale’s latest iOS phenomenon.
  7. Pocket Gamer UK
    Aug 21, 2015
    90
    Gaming's roundest hero gets a second great game for his second wind. Very different from DX, and in many ways just as good. Get them both.
  8. Multiplayer.it
    Sep 30, 2015
    88
    Pac-Man 256 is a great and at the same time respectful way to celebrate the 35th birthday of the iconic yellow hero.
  9. Vandal
    Aug 23, 2015
    85
    Pac-Man 256 is a beautiful tribute, an addictive game and honest as a free-to-play. If you ever enjoyed the original Pac-Man, or even if you didn't (is that even possible?), Pac-Man 256 is a game you should try.
  10. GamesBeat
    Aug 23, 2015
    85
    The light swipes of the controls can take a gentle touch, and you’ll definitely want to just buy the unlimited credits rather than put up with the freemium annoyances. It won’t entertain you for day-long stints. But if you like Pac-Man, this version is a must for your phone.
  11. CD-Action
    Dec 16, 2015
    80
    Only intrusive microtransactions could have ruined this great game, but fortunately it’s not the case. [12/2015, p.74]
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  12. Digitally Downloaded
    Aug 19, 2015
    80
    Namco Bandai was very smart to entrust their classic character and brand to this tiny team of Aussie mobile developers.
  13. 148Apps
    Aug 26, 2015
    70
    Mixing up the Pac-Man format, PAC-MAN 256 turns things endless.
  14. 3DJuegos
    Aug 19, 2015
    65
    Addictive and classic Pac-Man gameplay combined with new features like power ups and an endless runner feel.

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Best iOS Game of 2015
32
#32 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 56 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 56
  3. Negative: 11 out of 56
  1. wnick2000
    Aug 23, 2015
    7
    From the makers of Crossy Road and Bandi Namco comes PAC-MAN 256, a "re-imagining" of the classic PAC-MAN formula makes for what is anFrom the makers of Crossy Road and Bandi Namco comes PAC-MAN 256, a "re-imagining" of the classic PAC-MAN formula makes for what is an addicting, but very bare-bones game. The game puts your normal game of PAC-MAN on a 3D grid, in which you have to go as far as you can, collecting pellets, and escaping the "glitch", which is a throwback to the old "Level 256" in which the game would glitch out, which is probably what inspired the title. You can also "level up" and unlock power-ups, which provide new ways of taking down ghosts. But other than the power-ups, there really isn't much to collect in this game. This is coming from the studio who made crossy road, a huge game that had about a hundred and growing characters to use, but the game is still new so I'm sure we'll see additions. The game (at least for my phone) drains the battery a lot, which is really a set back. And playing the game itself also may get tedious at more than an hour or 2 at a time. Overall, PAC-MAN 256 is a fun re-imagining of the original PAC-MAN formula, even if there isn't much to collect and might not take up a ton of your time.… Full Review »
  2. TheRavingTimes
    Aug 20, 2015
    8
    Pac-Man 256 is pretty much everything you love about the 1980 classic, but with a unique twist that forces gamers to adapt to a completelyPac-Man 256 is pretty much everything you love about the 1980 classic, but with a unique twist that forces gamers to adapt to a completely brand new game. Include some brand new features and you've got an amazing classic revived, but with the free-to-play restrictions associated with it.… Full Review »
  3. GBHBL
    May 1, 2016
    4
    Where do I even start…I mean how in the hell do you screw up Pac-Man?

    Pac-Man 256 is inspired by the glitch that appeared in the original    Where do I even start…I mean how in the hell do you screw up Pac-Man?

    Pac-Man 256 is inspired by the glitch that appeared in the original Pac-Man game. I **** you not, the basis of this game was a freakin’ glitch. Oh, but of course they had to chuck in plenty of pointless in-app purchases because if there is anything Pac-Man needed to cement his legacy it was to be made into a free to play, endless runner…inspired by a glitch.

    It’s simple enough…you control Pac-Man in a never-ending 3D maze while trying to avoid ghosts, eat dots & make it as far as you can to set a high score. All while the Pac-Man glitch is chasing you down.

    So this glitch…in the original Pac-Man game should you make it to map 256 the right side of the map turns into a mess of numbers & letters obscuring the dots making the level impossible to beat.

    This numbers/letters mess is what fills up the bottom of the screen as you play forcing you to constantly move Pac-Man onwards.

    To try & add more to a pretty basic game a number of new ghosts have been included & the further you make it the more hectic it gets. Thankfully power pellets make their return as does a number of new abilities that Pac-Man can use such as lasers.

    You get 6 credits to play with it & they are refilled over time. 1 credit, every 10 minutes or you can watch an advert to earn more quickly. You can pay 79p for an extra 12 or £3.99 for unlimited credits (please note that this is currently on sale & the normal price is £5.99). Now it is nice to see this option available as paying for unlimited credits will open up most of the game to you however that price is a joke.

    This is an endless runner where you set a high score, that is it. They are charging more than the cost of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, The Sims 3, Goat Simulator, Lego Jurassic World, Five Nights at Freddys, Hitman Go, Worms 3, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2…these are fully fleshed out games with not just hours of fun but days & even weeks of gameplay!

    …but it doesn’t end there.

    You have the option of playing on different looking mazes, basically different skins. There is a range from the classic 80’s look to one that takes on the form of an office. Each costs 79p or can be bought using in-game coins that collect as you play. To buy one of these skins you would need 2048 coins. I hope you’ve got a lot of time on your hands because you’re going to need it.

    You can speed up your coin count by purchasing (are you surprised?) a coin doubler which automatically gives you 2048 coins & doubles any collected afterwards. It only costs £3.99…

    Seriously!?

    The thing is while gameplay is brief, it is fun. Pac-Man 256 encourages you to try once more when it comes to beating your own high score & having a ‘free play’ option (although you get no power-ups in this mode) is a great idea. It’s not enough to make this game anything but another poorly thought out free to play game obsessed with trying to take as much money from its customer base before they work out they’ve been ripped off.    … Full Review »
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